Man arrested after taking gun into courthouse

An Amarillo man was arrested Wednesday afternoon after he entered the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Courthouse front entrance with a pistol and brass knuckles.

Firearms and weapons are prohibited in a federal facility, according to a sign posted by the courthouse security desk. A license to carry a concealed handgun issued under state law is not an exemption from the prohibition.

Bret Avery, 36, walked into the courthouse and said he needed to talk with someone about a friend, Amarillo police Sgt. Randy TenBrink said.

Then Avery surrendered a pistol with two magazines and a set of brass knuckles, TenBrink said.

Cindy Hiller, a deputy U.S. marshal, said Avery entered the front entrance at Fifth Avenue and Taylor Street.

Avery was asked whether he had a weapon, and he said he did, Hiller said. Avery then surrendered the items, Hiller said.

She said the Amarillo Police Department was contacted. Avery was detained before police arrived.

At 12:13 p.m., police were called and several officers went to the scene, TenBrink said.

He said Avery was arrested without incident. Avery was booked into Potter County Detention Center on felony charges, TenBrink said.

Those charges include possession of a firearm in a government court or court offices and possession of brass knuckles in a government court or court offices, TenBrink said.

Avery remained at Potter County Detention Center Wednesday evening, a correctional officer said.

TenBrink said it's not clear why Avery went into the building with the weapons.